A shorter and less ambitious car-free trip, this time to Fair Oaks on Wednesday.

I rode my bike from home, along the American River Parkway, across the old Fair Oaks truss bridge, and up to Badfish Coffee in Fair Oaks Village. There are drinking fountains, bathrooms and picnic tables at a number of locations along the parkway, though not until Watt Avenue and east. Some reading and writing along with my tea, mostly transit back home.

I caught SacRT bus 21 from Fair Oaks to Mather Field/Mills light rail station, the SacRT Gold Line to 48th Street Station. A short bike ride to Trader Joe’s for a little grocery shopping. I do a number of trips to grocery stores and farmers markets each week, buying small amounts that fit in my bicycle bag, rather than doing a big trip that might require driving. Give it a try!

I then rode the rest of the way back home along Folsom Blvd and central city streets.

Today was California Clean Air Day, with SacRT offering free rides on transit for the day. I overheard a number of regular and low income riders talking about how excited they were to have a free fare day. The bus was crowded with riders, more than usual, though light rail was not.

I have a folding bike, so carry it on the bus (it does not fit securely on the front bike rack), but each bus has a front rack that can accommodate three bikes. Two riders traveled most of the way on the bus with their bikes on front. Light rail can accommodate several bikes, though it is hard to get them up and down the steep stairs. Unfortunately, SacRT seems to be running mostly old rail cars on the Gold Line, not the new low-floor cars that were promised.